Contraception

The purpose of the Women’s Health Initiative hormone program was to study the health benefits and risks of hormones for postmenopausal women. In July 2002, we asked women in the estrogen plus progestin part of the program to stop taking their study pills.

Recent research by members of the Population Council's International Committee for Contraception Research (ICCR) and other scientists shows that emergency contraceptive pills appear to work by interfering with ovulation, thus preventing fertilization of the egg.

A new overview of studies of the Pill and the risk of heart attack, published today (Friday 30 August) in Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal, Human Reproduction,* provides a reassuring picture of the safety of the third generation Pill.

Questions on Contraception answered by Marta Mendez, MD,

Questions on Contraception answered by Marta Mendez, MD

Questions on Puberty, Gyn Exam Procedures and Pap Smears answered by Marta Mendez, MD

Questions on Contraception

Questions on Pregnancy

Questions on Sex & STD's

If you’re having sex, pay close attention. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise in this country and it seems that people aren’t protecting themselves properly.

Planning to start a family is an exciting time. Many women and their partners wonder if there is anything they can do to help make this both successful and safe. In fact there are many things that can be done to increase the chances of a healthy mother and baby.

This is the title of an excellent book by Toni Weschler, MPH, and is the perfect resource for the subject of this column. I feel every teen and young woman should receive this book once she starts having menstrual periods.

In an ideal world, contraceptives would be 100% effective, and they would be used correctly every time. But, like most things in life, birth control isn't perfect. Pills are missed; condoms break, are put on improperly, and sometimes are not used at all. And, unfortunately, situations occur in which women are forced to have intercourse against their will.

For young people sex is a thrilling subject. They romanticise it, seeing it as a source of joy, but at the same time they can be very afraid of it. By the age of 16 half of the young folk in the world have had sexual intercourse.

One of the great joys of life can be having a baby-when we are ready and are able to provide all the love and care a child needs. One of the great setbacks in life can be an unintended pregnancy-especially for a young woman.

The types of birth control that are most reliable for preventing pregnancy are birth control pills, injections, implants, IUDs, and sterilization. Of every 100 women who use one of these types of birth control for a year, about 1 to 5 women will become pregnant.

Family planning counselling which covers knowledge transfer about contraceptive mode of action, by enabling informed choice, improves compliance to and efficiency of contraceptive methods.

The progestogen component of oral contraceptives (OCs) has undergone changes since it was recognized that their chemical structure can influence the spectrum of minor adverse and beneficial effects.

Perforation of uterus by intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is a known complication. However, to our knowledge, to have two IUCD perforating the uterus has never been reported. We present here this case which we believe is the first reported in literature, and discus the importance of careful evaluation prior to insertion of contraceptive loop and the management implemented.

Miscarriage and induced abortion are life events that can potentially cause mental distress. The objective of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the patterns of normalization of mental health scores after these two pregnancy termination events.

Neutrophils infiltrate the endometrium pre-menstrually and after long-term progestin only-contraceptive (LTPOC) treatment. Trafficking of neutrophils involves endothelial cell-expressed intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1).

This study assesses the consistency of responses among women regarding their beliefs about the mechanisms of actions of birth control methods, beliefs about when human life begins, the intention to use or not use birth control methods that they believe may act after fertilization or implantation, and their reported use of specific methods.

It has been proposed that the autonomy of women is one of the mechanisms of how education influences contraceptive use in developing countries. We tested this hypothesis in a national sample of women in Pakistan.

Tubal sterilization is the method of family planning most commonly used. The existence of the post-tubal-ligation syndrome of menstrual abnormalities has been the subject of debate for decades.

Reports of recent studies revealing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with health risks have left women scared and confused about how to stay comfortable and healthy during menopause.

Estrogen plus progestin therapy does not have a clinically significant effect on postmenopausal women's health-related quality of life, according to this analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

An excerpt from the Menopause & Perimenopause Ask the Expert column

The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women has been generating a lot of controversy lately. Recent studies have suggested that, contrary to prior assumptions, this regimen may increase the risks for a heart attack and for breast cancer. We asked Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD, a member of our advisory board, to respond to concerns about the safety of HRT--particularly with respect to cardiovascular disease.

This article aims to study the content of the teaching materials used by the medical students and possible effects on the development of their perception towards women’s health, using contraception as an illustration.

Of American women aged 15 to 44 years who are at risk of unintended pregnancy, 40% are currently using hormonal contraception, and more than 75% previously used hormonal birth control.